lowering/spreading eq6 tripod

[Horwig]

I've just ordered an EQ6 extension tube to help with camera/tripod collisions. I really don't need my scope 8 inches higher, and I'm worried about stability.

My question is if anybody has tried lowering/spreading an EQ6 tripod by machining the top of the legs or the hub to spread the legs further, (ie the red or blue areas in this pic)?

I'm probably over worrying the situation, but I'd rather be prepared.

Ta

 

Huw

[MarkAR]

You might be able to take a little off each but you risk weakening those areas.

[johninderby]

Only made from a low grade alloy / pot metal so would be carefull about removing material. 🤔

[Supernova74]

Hi I see what you mean there however what maybe another idea is make some kind of brace towards the bottom of tripod or another idea if you used chain some how where locking bolts are then shouldn’t allow tripod to move or slip 

[CraigT82]

Just chop 8 inches off each leg. Take the foot off (2X 3mm grub screws) chop leg, refit foot. 

[Horwig]

Just an update on this in case anybody's going to try the same.

I machined the tripod boss to allow the legs to open wider ( the red section in the original photo). Didn't remove a lot, probably about 3mm. This allowed an extra 10 cm spread of the legs, and lowered the whole thing by about 5 cm, a much more stable arrangement.

 

Huw

[CraigT82]

29 minutes ago, Horwig said:

Just an update on this in case anybody's going to try the same.

I machined the tripod boss to allow the legs to open wider ( the red section in the original photo). Didn't remove a lot, probably about 3mm. This allowed an extra 10 cm spread of the legs, and lowered the whole thing by about 5 cm, a much more stable arrangement.

 

Huw

Can you still use the spreader plate are ar the legs too far apart to fit that?

[Horwig]

5 hours ago, CraigT82 said:

Can you still use the spreader plate are ar the legs too far apart to fit that?

I'll have to extend the thread up the centre bolt by about a cm, then it should be fine. Truth is I don't use the spreader

 

Huw